Larger development approved for northwest St. Johns County

County Commission approves about 250 more residential units

The St. Johns County Commission approved Tuesday a request that about 250 more residential units be added to a proposed development off Racetrack Road.

The commission approved allowing 616 dwelling units to be built as part of the Bartram Park development in the northwest part of the county. The housing development on property along Racetrack Road already had been approved for more than 360 units.

Several hundred acres in northwest St. Johns County are part of the Bartram Park development. Most of Bartram Park is in Duval County.

Approving the project also will allow for the expansion of Racetrack Road because the developer will pay the county millions for improvement, said Michael Ryan, St. Johns County communications manager.

Avery-Smith said improvements include widening part of the road to four lanes. She said $4 million will be paid before building begins and additional fees per home will be paid as homes are built in Duval County as part of the Bartram Park development — at $7,500 per single family home.

The developer is responsible for the $4 million payment “at the time the first plat is approved within (the property) located in St. Johns County,” according to the application summary. “In addition, the developer shall collect a $7,500 fee on Duval County lots that access Racetrack Road ... and transfer funds to St. Johns County on quarterly basis.”

The county is responsible for construction of improvements on the west section of Racetrack Road that runs from Julington Creek Plantation to Bartram Park Boulevard, according to the summary.

“The project will not put trips on the road until money has been paid to the county,” Avery-Smith said.

A total of more than $8.3 million will be paid to widen Racetrack Road if all of the units needed in Duval County are built, according to the application.

The developer also is responsible for widening an eastern segment of Racetrack Road from Interstate 95 to Bartram Spring Boulevard, or to provide “financial assurance” to the county for construction, according to the summary. The developer will donate land for right-of-way to the county.

“I think that this project is a good example of a developer working with the county,” she said. “ ... kind of in a win-win situation.”

The developer will also pay for the impact the additional families would have on the St. Johns County School District, Avery-Smith said.

Ryan said that improvements have been planned along Racetrack Road “for a significant amount of time,” and approval of the project will help with traffic congestion.

“The county recognizes that Racetrack (Road) is one of the most congested corridors in our area ... and the approval of this project will allow us to use the appropriate funding to expand that corridor and provide relief for the residents in that area.”